Abstract: Materials and methods for preparing thick, mesoporous silica monolithic slabs and coatings with high transparency and low thermal conductivity are provided. The transparent silica materials are particularly suited for window or solar applications including insulation barriers for existing or new single, double pane windows or glass panel building components. The template-free, water-based sol-gel methods produce slabs or coatings by gelation of a colloidal suspension of silica or other oxide nanoparticles or by ambigel formation and then ageing and drying the gels under ambient conditions. Solvent exchanges with nonpolar, low-surface-tension solvents help to avoid cracking caused by drying stress. Mesoporous slabs can also be cast in molds on perfluorocarbon liquid substrates to reduce adhesion and enable gels to shrink freely during aging and drying without incurring significant stress that could cause fracture.

Abstract: A time-resolved fluorescence device is described for the detection and diagnosis of diabetes in a noninvasive manner. The device uses an ultra-short excitation pulse of light in the UV, infrared or visible range that comprises of a repetition of nanosecond pulses. The excitation pulse is directed incident onto a strategically selected area of the patient body such as the forearm, the feet, and the palm. This light interacts with the different layers of the skin. The absorbed light excites the AGEs in the skin, which in turn generate a fluorescence signal, which is collected by a detector. A processor is coupled to the detector to measure the transient fluorescence intensity decay of the skin in terms of lifetimes, and the contribution of individual fluorophores to the overall fluorescence signal. The nature and location of the fluorophores may be identified and a medical diagnostics may be performed.

Abstract: A time-resolved fluorescence device is described for the detection and diagnosis of various metabolic diseases in a noninvasive or minimally invasive manner. The device uses an ultra-short excitation pulse that comprises of a repetition of nanosecond pulses. The excitation pulse is directed incident onto a strategically selected area of the patient body such as the forearm, the feet, and the palm. This light interacts with the different layers of the skin. The absorbed light excites conditions of interest in the skin, which in turn generate a fluorescence signal, which is collected by a detector. A processor is coupled to the detector to measure the transient fluorescence intensity decay of the skin in terms of lifetimes, and the contribution of individual fluorophores to the overall fluorescence signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for encapsulating a liquid or suspension within a polymeric shell to form a microcapsule of a selected size ranging from approximately 0.1 ?m to 1000 ?m in diameter. The apparatus preferably has a laminar flow of air through a channel and ultrasonic atomizer with the head oriented at approximately ninety degrees from the laminar flow. Emulsions, liquids or thin films of core and shell materials are atomized and the formed microcapsules are exposed to ultraviolet light or additionally infrared light to cure the polymer shell and then are collected. A variety of capsule morphologies can be created by the choice of materials and process conditions to achieve desired controlled or programmed release kinetics. Surface functionalization of the outer shell of the microcapsules capsules can also be achieved to facilitate targeted delivery.